Pato O’Ward said Formula 1 is “full of important people” and the appeal of the series is not replicated anywhere else in motorsport.
The young Mexican tested a McLaren for his first attempt at driving a Formula 1 car at the post-season youth test in Abu Dhabi in December and spoke beforehand about how much he enjoyed the experience.
But his time in the garage allowed him to see the other side of the sport, with the world’s best mechanics, engineers and more working in Formula 1.
He said that his goal is to get into the first category and he feels he has a few years left to get there and his experience opened his eyes to how
“It’s full of important people, I can tell you that,” said O’Ward after taking part in the post-season test, quoted by Motorsport-Total.
I’m going to miss today
incredible machine. Thanks @ McLarenF1
I will miss today. Unforgettable experience. Thank you TEAM! #McLaren # F1 pic.twitter.com/8PcAMR3HNo
– Pato O’Ward (@PatricioOWard) December 14, 2021
“Everyone there has an incredible résumé. What you can see in Formula 1 is how much money people are willing to spend just to be able to say they have been there.
“The biggest of the really big want to get into Formula 1 and no other series can claim that. Formula 1 is the series in which you want to participate – as a driver, reporter, engineer, team owner and entrepreneur.
“I don’t understand people who get into a Formula 1 car and aren’t excited afterwards – then something’s wrong with you. I enjoyed it and it was amazing – I drove the fastest racing car in the world. “
The IndyCar driver raved about his “best experience” behind the wheel of a car and was “completely overwhelmed” by the speed and grip that was available to him.
He later admitted that he had felt the aftereffects of a day’s running on his neck as the increased G-forces were imposed on him when he drove a Formula 1 car for the first time.
Now that he got a taste of driving a McLaren, he understandably said that he would like to try again if possible.
“I want more,” said O’Ward. “I want to dominate it. I want to cross the line and feel what it’s like to cross the line.
“It’s something completely different because an IndyCar car has a lot more limits.”
